NBN Co goes commercial

From tomorrow, the 14,000 residents whose homes have been passed by the National Broadband Network's first release site roll-out and aren't already locked into alternate contracts with their internet service provider will be able to order an NBN service.

From tomorrow, the 14,000 residents whose homes have been passed by the National Broadband Network's first release site roll-out and aren't already locked into alternate contracts with their internet service provider will be able to order an NBN service.

Up until this point, people have only been able to get connections by joining a trial held by their internet service provider. Within this trial framework, 800 premises have been connected to the network.

Even those who haven't agreed to have their houses connected to the network can talk to their internet service provider, according to NBN Co, which said that in such cases, the company would simply install the Network Termination Device and the line at the same time. NBN Co said that those already on contracts and those who rented their accommodation needed to think twice, however, before signing up to a connection.

"Consumers need to consider their existing telephone and broadband contract arrangements before looking to switch services. Also, people living in rented accommodation and/or apartment blocks will need to consider their lease conditions and what approval is needed from bodies corporate and/or landlords," the company said in a statement.

The commercial launch of services will see revenue stream into NBN Co's coffers.

"The launch of commercial services over the fibre network in the mainland First Release Sites marks a significant milestone for the delivery of the NBN. It is the start of a new era of service and competition as providers begin to offer a range of different plans over our open-access wholesale network," NBN Co head of product development and sales, Jim Hassell, said in a statement.

"It is also an important landmark for NBN Co as we start to generate our first revenue from fibre services. Not only is the NBN a project that will see our national infrastructure upgraded, it is an investment through which revenues are planned to eventually repay the initial outlay and deliver a return to taxpayers."

Meanwhile, Primus has confirmed that it will keep its trial pricing for commercial services. Optus said that it planned to unveil its NBN products in the coming weeks once Optus and NBN Co had reached a wholesale broadband agreement. TPG told ZDNet Australia that it was too early to put a price on its commercial services. Telstra had not responded to queries about its pricing at the time of publication.